Apologies for any inadvertant mantling.

Spina bifida and other neural tube defects are decreasing in incidence for a couple of reasons. Firstly, as mentioned above, the understanding of the preventative role of folic acid. Secondly, the increase in (nay, introduction of) pre-natal detection and hence an increase in elective termination of the pregnancy.

There are a number of different atresias (oesophageal - the spelling IS regional, if the Commonwealth nations are a region, biliary, duodenal, any part of the gut really) and they are quite common, lethal if untreated, but easily corrected in most cases.